Sri Lanka, Oct. 8 -- UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena made a special statement regarding the United National Party's stance on the removal of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera's robe and dressing him in prisoner attire was revealed in this regard.

According to the Vinaya Pitaka, a Buddhist monk's robe can only be removed by the relevant chapter to which he belongs.

Vajira Abeywardena emphasised that acting arbitrarily in this manner challenges Articles 9 and 10 of the Constitution as well as Buddhism and religious freedom

The Ministry of Justice should have obtained the views of the chief prelates before removing his robe when Ven. Gnanasara Thera was re-imprisoned based on the court ruling, he pointed out.

During the Yahapalana gov...